And hopedale



Patented May 9, I899.

W. G. EATON. WEFT FORK MECHANISM FOR LUGMS.

(Application filed Jan. 19, 1899.) [No Model.) 2 Sheets$hoet l.

No. 624,765. Patented m 9, I899.

w. a. EATON.

WEFT FORK MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

(Application filed Jan. 19, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 sheets-shank.

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NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. '7

\VILLIE G. EATON, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO THE DRAPER COMPANY, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, AND HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS.

WEFT'-FORK MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,765, dated May 9, 1899.

Application filed January 19, 1899- Serial No. 702,619. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, XVILLIE G. EATON, of Nashua, county of Hillsborough, State of New Hampshire, have in vented an Improvement in Weft-Fork Mechanism fo-rLooms, of which the following description, in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like letters and figures on the drawings representing like parts.

In United States Patent No. 529,943, dated November 27, 1894, aloom is shown provided with means for automatically inserting a fresh supply of filling into the shuttle upon breakage of the shuttle-filling thread, and devices are also therein provided for stopping the loom should the filling fail to be laid in the shuttle after the tranfer of a fresh supply of filling. The first or primary movement of the weft-fork slidein said patent is utilized to put into position the filling-transferring mech anismafter the absence of filling opposite the weft-fork, and if after the transfer has been effected the filling-thread of the fresh supply fails to be laid in the shed the weft-fork is not tilted for the second time and'the slide is given an additional or secondary movement sufficient to knock ofi or stop the loom.

My present invention relates to weft-fork mechanism having successive movements imparted thereto under the circumstances set forth above, but more particularly adapted for use with looms wherein more than two harnesses are employed, it being understood that in such cases if the fresh filling after failure is not introduced into the proper shed a defect will be very apparent in the cloth, and this invention has for its object the production of means for obviating such defects.

I have so arranged the operation of the novel mechanism to be hereinafter described that upon failure of the fresh filling to be laid in the proper shed the loom will be stopped.

While my invention is herein shown as adapted to cooperate with a four-harness weave, it is not restricted thereto.

a Figure 1 is a top or plan view of the end of the breast-beam of a loom adjacent the shipperhandle with weft-fork mechanism embodying my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged trans verse sectional View thereof on the line 00 so, looking toward the right, Fig. 1, four harness-frames being shown at the left-hand side of the figure, the parts being represented in the position assumed when the loo'm is running properly. Fig. 3 'is a View similar to Fig. 2, butshowing the Weft-fork slide in outward position due to its first or primary movement upon failure of the filling to tilt the weftfork; and Fig. at shows the position of the parts 0.11 the secondary outward movement of the weft-fork slide on the next pick but one to that on which the failure of the filling was first detected.

The breast-beam A, provided with the usual notched holding-plate A for the shipper-ham.

dle S and having pivotally mounted upon it a knock-off lever K, has bolted to it a stand (1, having a suitable guideway a, in which is adapted toreciprocate a slide 6, upon which is pivoted at b a weft-fork b the latter having a tail b, Fig. 1, to be engaged by a hook b pivoted on the upper end of the weft-hammer A the hook sliding on a support b (see dotted lines, Fig. 2,) carried by the slide 1). A check 0 pivoted on the slide, aids in turning the weft-fork on its pivot after it has been tilted, as in said patent referred to. At its outer end the slide 19 is provided with a projection b against which normally rests a lever-arm d loosely mounted on the rockshaft cl, which controls the filling-transferring mechanism, as in said patent, said arm having a depending foot (1 adapted to engage, as usual, the actuating-pawl of the takeup mechanism, (not shown,) so that the takeup will not be operatedeach time the slide 1) is moved outward. A latch f, having upturnedears f, is pivoted at f on the slide 1), said latch having on its under side a cam f, Fig. 2, while a dog f is fulcrumed at f on the ears, the outer end of said dog being laterally offset and extended forwardly, as at f, i

weft-fork slide 1) is recessed longitudinally to i receive a sliding con troller d ,'(see dotted li es,

Figs. 2 and 3,) having on its upper side a camlump d and oppositely-turned or enlarged at its ends, the upturned end (1 being in the path of the weft hammer, while its outer downturned end (1 is adapted to at times engage a shoulder a Fig. 2, forming a part of the stand a, the opposite side of the shoulder forming a stop for the projection b when the weft-fork slide is in normal inward position, the normal position of the weft-fork mechanism being shown in'Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. A second arm (Z fast on the rock-shaft d, is upturned and bentrearwardly at its upper end, as at (1 belowthe path of movement of the latch-tongue f while the latter is maintained elevated by the controller (Z as shown in Fig. 2, the end (Z being offset or bent laterally to clear the outer end of the slide 1). (See Figs. 1 and 3.) When the controller releases the latch, the end of the arm (P will under certain conditions (to be described) be in the path of the tongue f and will be moved by it on the outward movement of the weftfork slide to rock the controlling rock-shaft d of the filling-transferring mechanism.

A detent h, longitudinally slotted at h h2 to receive the-pivot f and a stud 5 on the.

latch f, is bent laterally at its outer end at 7L3 to extend under the convex portion f of the latch-dog and maintain it elevated, whileits opposite end is oppositely bent at 7L to extend across the outer side of the upturned end a of the controller.

When the loom is running properly, the weft-fork is tilted by engagement with the filling at each forward beat of the lay, and the weft-fork mechanism remains in the position shown. Should the filling fail, however, the fork will be tilted, its tail b will be engaged by the hook I), and the outward stroke of the weft-hammer will operate to move the slide Z) outward, giving it its primary movement to thereby swing the foot d by or through the arm (1* and the slide projection 19 and stop the take-up on that pick. The detecting action of the weft-fork usually takes place at every alternate pick, and let it be supposed that four harnesses are used, with the filling-supplying mechanism at one side of the lay, with the weft-fork at the other side, and that for convenience of description the filling fails as the shuttle is thrown toward the weft-fork. The primary movement of the weft-fork slide, hereinbefore referred to, on the first pick prevents the operation of the take-up, and this same movement of the slide brings the end (I of the controller against the shoulder a and the controller is stopped, permitting the 'cam f to drop off from the cam d lowering the latch f, so that the tongue f thereof will rest on the end 67 of the arm 01 but the detent h will still hold the dog f above the end of the knock-off lever K, extended in front of said latch-dog, such condition of the parts being shown in Fig. 3. After its outward movement the slide b returns to its normal position, the

movement, tilting the arm d as before; butthis time the engagement of the latch-tongue f with the arm @1 will swing the latter also, (see Fig. 4,) rocking the shaft d to put the filling-supplying mechanism into position to transfer a fresh supply of filling to the shuttle at the next or fourth pick, the shuttle then having returned to the right-hand end of the lay. The outer bent end or ear h of the detent it will wipe over a fixed stop h (shown as a hook-like plate secured to the outer end of the guide ct) on the return of the slide Z) to normal position after its primary outward movement, and as the tongue f drops off from the bent end of the arm d the end 7Z3 of the detent will drop behind the shoulder 25 of the stop. On the secondary outward movement of the slide described the stop h prevents continued outward movement of the detent, withdrawing it from the shoulder f of the latch-dog just after the point of'the latter has passed beyond the inner edge of the knock-off lever K, so that the dog will travel over the latter, as shown in Fig. 4. The shuttle is supplied with fresh filling on the fourth pick, as stated, so that if the shuttle threads properly the filling will be laid in the shed at the fifth pick, a detecting-pick, and corresponding to pick No. l of the 1, 2, 3, 4 cycle, so that the filling will he laid in that shed of the cycle corresponding to the shed of the previous cycle in which it failed. Supposing the new filling-thread to be thus properly laid in the correct shed, the weft-fork will be tilted and the hook I) will not engage its tail; but the upper end of the weft-hammer as it completes its outward stroke will engage the upturned endd of the controller and push it into the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby lifting the latchf into its normal position, it being understood that the slide 1) has returned to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the usual spring, as s Fig. 1, but with the dog f behind the knock-off lever K, it having dropped from the position shown in Fig. 4 on the inward movement of the slide following the assumption of such position. If, however, the new filling-thread should not be laid in the shed, then the weft-fork will not be tilted and the hook I) will engage the tail of the fork, so that the slide 1) will be given a third outward movement as the weft-hammer moves toward the breast-beam and the dog will act against the inner side of the knock-off lever, turning it to release the shipper-lever and stop the 100111. When the detent is held by the stop 71), as described, its inner laterallyturned end It will be brought into position against the outer face of the upturned end (1 too of the controller d as shown in Fig. 4, so that when the filling is properly laid the action of the weft-hammer in returning the controller to normal position, and thereby lifting the latch 5 f,will also operate to return thedetent to normal position to engage the shoulder f of the latch-dog and return the latter to its normal position, thus resetting the parts ready to operate on a subsequent failure of the filling.

By the mechanism herein shown I am enabled to not only effect the transfer of fresh filling, so that the filling will be laid in the proper shed of the cycle, the various parts being automatically resetin normal position, but to also effect the stoppage of the loom should the fresh filling fail to be properly laid in the required shed.

The mechanism is simple, effective, and not liable to get out of order, the several parts performing their duties quickly and accurately without regard to the speed of the loom.

In Fig. 2 I have shown a part of the fillingsupplying mechanism, designating the transferrer as F, (shown in dotted lines and mounted on the stud F,) said mechanism operating to transfer a fresh supply of filling to the shuttle when it is in the shuttle-box of the lay adjacent to the filling-feeder F substantially as in United States Patent No. 529,940, dated November 27, 1894, to which reference may be had.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a loom, filling-supplying mechanism, controlling means therefor operative by or through failure of the filling, retarding means to delay the operation of the fillingsupplyin g mechanism for a predetermined number of picks after filling failure, stopping means for the loom, and an actuator therefor oper-' ative upon failure of the fresh filling to be properly laid in the shed.

2. In a loom, filling-supplying mechanism, controlling means therefor operative by or through failure of the filling, retarding means to delay the operation of the filling-supplying mechanism for a predetermined number of picks after filling failure, stopping means for the loom, an actuator therefor operative upon failure of the fresh filling to be properly laid in the shed, and means to prevent takeup of the cloth while filling is absent from the shed.

3. In a loom having three or more harness members, filling-supplying mechanism, controlling means therefor operative by or through failure of the filling, retarding means to delay the operation of the controlling means after detection of the-filling failure, to-

effect the introduction of fresh filling into the shed of the cycle corresponding to thatone in which failure was detected, stopping means for the loom, and an actuator therefor operative upon failure of the fresh filling to be laid in its shed.

normally maintain the dog and detent in co 4. In a loom, filling-supplying mechanism, controlling means therefor operative by or through failure of the filling, retarding means to delay the operation of the filling-supplying mechanism for a predetermined number latch having a pivotally-connected actuator to cooperate with the knock-off lever, a latchcontroller, and a detent forthe actuator, primary operation of said mechanism due to absence of filling causing the controller to release the latch, a secondary movement acting to withdraw the detent from the actuator and permit the latter to drop onto the knockoff lever, and'a third movement of said mechanism operating the actuator to move the knock-0d lever and stop the doom.

6. In a loom, knock-oft devices, and weftfork mechanism, including a latch having a normally-inoperative actuator to cooperate with the knock-off devices, alatch-controller, and a detent for said actuator, combined with means to operate a change of filling, primary operation of the weft-fork mechanism due to absence of filling releasing the latch, a secondary movement of said mechanism operating said means by the latch and also withdrawing the detent from the actuator, a third movement of said mechanism, due to absence of the fresh filling in the shed, moving said actuator into engagement with and to operate the knock-off devices to effect stoppage of the loom.

7. In a 100m, a shipping-lever, a knock-0E lever; means to operate a change of filling, including a lever having a bent upper end, cooperating weft-forkinechanism, including a slide, a movable latch mounted on said slide and provided with a rigid tongue and a pivoted actuator, anda detent for the latter, a latch-controller to release the latch on the primary movement of the slide and permit its tongue to fall on the bent end of said lever, secondary movement of the slide rocking said lever through the latch-tongue, and a stop to engage said detent on such secondary movement of the slide, tothereby release the actuator and permit it to fall upon the knock-- olf lever, a third movement of the slide, after change of filling, and due to-absence of fresh filling in the shed, moving said knock-off 1e- Ver by engagement with the actuator, to stop operation and the latch inoperative, and a stop to withdraw the detent from the dog," primary movement of the slide moving the controller to release the latch and position the detent in the path of its stop, the secondary movement of the slide, operating through the stop to withdraw the detent from the dog, the latter moving thereby into position to operatively engage the knock-off lever upon a third movement of the slide.

'9. In a loom, a knock-off lever; weft-fork mechanism, including a slide, an attached latch, a dog to engage the knock-off lever, and a detent for said dog, both mounted on the latch, a latch-controller movable longitudinally in the slide and bent at its inner end across the detent, a fixed shoulder to engage and stop the controller 011 the primary movement ofthe slide due to absence'of the filling, and thereby release the latch,and a stop adapted to withdraw the detent from the dog 011 the secondary movement of theslide, due to continued absence of filling, subsequent return of the controller into normal position resetting the latch and detent.

10. In a loom, a weft-fork mechanism, in-

eluding a slide, a latch carried thereby hava dog pivotally connected with the latch, and a detent for said dog, mounted to slide on the latch, combined with means to operate a change of filling, including a member to first support the tongue and to thereafter be engaged and moved byit, and a knock-off lever, primary movement of the slide, after detection of failure of filling, withdrawing the controller to release the latch and permit descent of the latch-tongue on said member, the detent maintaining the dog inoperative, secondary movement of the slide due to a second absence of filling bringing said latch-tongue into operative engagement with said member, to move the same, and also withdrawing the detent from and permitting the dog to fall upon the knock-off lever,a third movement of the slide, following immediately the operation of the filling-changing means, effecting operative engagement of the dog and knock-oft lever, to move the latter and thereby stop the loom.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' VILLIE G. EATON.

Witnesses:

JOHN M. DANFORTH, W. E. KITTREDGE. 

